Veneer-cutting machine.



PATENTED SERT.22,119 O3,

G. E. TRAXLER- VENBER CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION PILBDMAB. 19l 1903.

'I SHEETS-SHEET L N0 MODEL.

rwn im 022:60 Zi Tra-,292er rx 0. E. TEAXLEE VENEEE CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLI'UATION FILED MAR. 19, 1903. N0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED SEPT. 22, 1903.

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mi Makms crews cc4 Fna-mutue msmunmn. o. c.

No. 739,565. EATENTED SEPT. 22. 1903..

Y o. R'. TREXEEE. I

VENEEE GETTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 19, 1903.

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PA'I'BNTBD SEPT'. 22, 1903.

.G- R. TRAXLBR. VENBER CUTTING MACHINE.

APYLIGATION FILED MAB.. 19. 1903.

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N0 MODEL.

@Houtman No. 739,565. Y PATENTEBSBPT. z2. 1903.

C. R. TRAXLER. VENEER CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED HAR. 19, 1903.

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N0 MODEL.

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PATENTED sEPT.2z,`19os..

G. E. TEAXLEE. VENEEE :CUTTING MACHINE.

PPLIGTION FILED MAB. 3.9, 1903.

'7 SHEETS-SHEET N0 MODEL.

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No. 79,565. PATENTED SEPT. 22, 1903.

l G. R. TRAXLER. VENEBR CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED IAB. 19, 1903.

N0 MODEL. '[BHEBTS-SHBET '1.

ivo. 739,565)

UNrT'sn j STATES Y atented September 22, 1909i.

PATENT Ormes.

CISCO R. TRAXLER, OF WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR, BY

DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO UNITED STATES VENEER OOM- PANY, OF VINSTON, NORTH CAROLINA, A CORPORATION OF NORTH CAROLINA.

' SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. .739,565, dated September 22, 1903.

Application filed March I9, 1903.

To a/ZZ whom, t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, Cisco R. TRAXLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Win-Y ston-Salem, in the county of Forsyth and State' of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Veneer-Cutting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for cut- 1o ting thin slices, slabs, or sheets' of veneer y from blocks or bolts of wood. Heretofore in machines of this class the bolt has usually been sliced by means'of a reciprocating knife operating upon the boltY while held in a stai5 tionary frame or theVV bolt or log has been made to rotate about its own axis and veneer has been cut therefrom by an adjustableV knife operating upon the log near its periphery. It has also been proposed to arrange vezo neer-cutting knives radially on a rotary carrier which slices the block as the latter is periodically advanced across the path of the knives.

One of the principal objects of my invenz5 tion is to cut from blocks of hard wood, such as quartered' oak, slabs, panels, or plates Yof large surface area and having a fine inish. This cannot be properly done by machines of the second class above mentioned, and Vin 3o machines where the knife reciprocates back and forth relatively tothe wood there is a loss of speed in the back stroke and an objectionable wearing of the edge of the knife,- yespecially where the Wood is very hard. Inthe third class of the machines mentionedil. e., where the knives are arranged radially on a rotary carrier,while the speed is materially increased--the number of bolts operated upon isA limited and the knives are sub-y 4o jected to repeated injurious shocks. Y

The object of my invention is to providea machinein which a plurality of blocks or bolts may be presented in quick succession to a slicing-knife while all traveling in the same direction and in the same plane around the axis of a rotary carrier in such manner as to produce a shear cut, which reduces to aminimum the chances of splitting or imperfect sev Serial No. 148,684. (No model.)

ering of the slices and avoids sudden shocks or jars to the mechanism.

In carrying out my invention I provide a rotary block-carrier in the form of a large wheel, which is mounted to revolve about a horizontal axis and to convey vthe blocks of wood past the slicing-knife, which is set in a stationary frame at one side of the machine. -The block-carrier is provided with radiallyarranged stay-logs equipped with chucks for securing the blocks in place, and mechanism is provided for automatically advancing the stay-logsat vproper intervals as the wheel revolves to properly present thesblocks to enable the knife to sever successive slices from each block. The 'slicingknife is arranged radially, or substantially so, with reference to the axis of the carrier and the blocks travel in a vertical plane only, thus causing the knife to make a straight even cut. While the stay-logs have a general radial arrangement, each block is arranged for the most part vto one side of a true radial line-z'. c., on

the advancing side thereof-so that when the block iii-st reaches the knifeits inner end is first engaged thereby and a shear cut iseffected, the knife gradually penetrating the block in an outward direction. In this way a slowly-moving portion of the block is made to first engage the knife and the more rapidlymoving parts of the blockrgradually come -into contact therewith. In this way injurious eects which would arise from quick sudden blows on the knife by the blocks are avoided.

These general characteristics of the machine, as Well as others, will be better under! stood and appreciated after amore detailed description of the particular mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the way now best known to me of carrying out my invention; but I wish yit understood that my claims are. not limited to the specific mechanism shown, as changes may be made therein without departing from the novel features of my invention.

Figui-e1 shows a front elevation of the machine, some of the parts being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, illustrating particularly the fender employed at the front of the machine.

Fig. 3 shows a rear elevation of theblock carrier and some of the parts carried thereby. Fig. 4 shows a rear elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the block-carrierand the mechanism connected therewith. Fig. 5 is a view on auv enlarged scale and in section, illustrating particularly the mechanism employed for setting or advancing the stay-logs. Fig. 6 is a detail view of part of this mechanism. Fig. 7 is a detail view showing particularly the ratchet mechanism employed in the stay-log set-works. Fig. 8 is a detail view in section, showing part of the ratchet mechanism and devices connected therewith. Fig 9 is a detail view in section, showing part of the stop mechanism-JL'. c., the devices for arresting the advance of the stay-logs. Fig. 10 shows a vertical section of the machine on the line l0 10 of Fig. 3. Fig. 11 is a detail view on an enlarged scale, showing the manner in which a stay-log and block are connected with the carrier. Fig. 12 is a detail View in perspective, showing particularly the manner in which the sectorshaped plates composing the frame of the carrier are connected to the hub and in which the stay-logs are guided at their inner ends. Fig. 13 is a diagram of some of the gearing forming part ofthe stayslog set-works. Fig. 14 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the sector-plates or sections composing the frame of the block-carrier and the mechanism carried thereby. Fig. 15 is a detail view in perspective and on an enlarged scale, showing the manner in which the sector-plates are attached to the hub. Figs. 16 and 17 are detail views on enlarged scales and in section, showing the manner of arranging and operating the chucks employed for attaching the blocks or bolts to the staylogs. Fig. 18 shows a front elevation, on an enlarged scale and partly broken away, of the slicing mechanism. Fig. 19 shows a vertical section on the line 1-9 19 of Fig. 18. Fig. 20 shows a perspective view of one of the stay-logs and the chucks carried thereby. Fig. 21 is a detail view of the brake used in the set-works.

The rotary block-carrier A is attached to a shaft B, mounted in bearings B', secured to sills C, supported on opposite sides of a pit C', in which the lower portion of thecarrier revolves. By means of set-screws c, carried by brackets c and bearing on the opposite ends of the shaft B, the latter may be given any desired endwise adjustment to regulate the position ofthe carrier relatively to the slicingknife. As the carrier is intended to be made of large diametersay thirty feet or moreits lower portion is arranged in a pit, as above" stated, and the walls of the pit are made quite solid and substantial in order to support the great weight and to withstand all'shocks, jars, or vibrations which may occur accidentally 'or in the ordinary operation of the mechanism. The pit may be lined with cement or other suitable material and partially filled with water kept hot by steam-pipes C2. By this arrangement` the lower portion of the block-carrier is kept submerged, and thus the blocks or bolts of wood are maintained in proper condition to be cut orsliced, avoiding the necessity of steaming or boiling the timber before attaching it to the machine. It is well known that it isnecessary that the wood should be hot'and moist in order that the veneer may be properly cut. Blocks of wood are usually treated for this purpose in Vats or steaming-houses specially prepared for the purpose, and it is often found desirable to remove the blocks or bolts from the machine before they are 'completely cut in order that they may be further steamed or moistened; but in my machine the blocks are immersed during each revolution of the carrier andthe Wood is keptata uniform temperature during the whole operation. The carrier is composed of a numberof sector-shaped plates or sections D, which are attached at their inner ends to a hub E and at their outer ends are interlocked and bolted securely together, so as to form a complete disk or wheel. On the outside or periphery of the Wheel there is a continuous series of teeth F, preferably formed in segmental castings bolted to the plates D. The carrier is rotated by a pinion f, (see Fig. 1,) which may be driven in any suitable way. The hub E is secured to the shaft B near its front end, and the carrier is braced by diagonally-arranged bars G, which at their upper ends engage sockets g in the plates D and at their lower ends are grouped around the shaft B and secured to a rearhubpiece G. Each sector shaped plate D is formed with a straight radial rearwardly-projecting Aflange d and a curved peripheral flange d@ which latter is formed with a recess or socket cl2 to receive an interlocking projection dT from an adjacent platein the manner hereinafter described. The radial flange d is braced at d3 and the peripheral flange is formed with inwardly projecting lugs d4, spaced apart to form a guide for a stay-log,

in the manner hereinafter described. The hub E, to which the inner ends of the sector-plates are attached, is formed with a central sleeve e, which is attached to the shaft B, and with radial webs c', with spaces between them to receive the inner ends of the plates. The front of the hub is in the form of a disk or circular plate e2. In assembling the parts above described the inner ends of the sectorplates are inserted between the Webs e', and each plate is bolted to the front piece e2 and to one of the webs e'. The radial edged5 of each plate D opposite the flange d is formed with a 'recess d6 to accommodate the Web e to which the next adjacent plate is attached in ordery thatwhen the plates are all assembled they may be made to tit close together in the manner indicated in Figs. 3 and 4.

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IIO

The details of construction of the parts where the sector-shaped plates join the hub are clearly illustrated in Fig. 15. The outer ends of the plates D are secured together by bolts ds, which extend through the ends di of the flanges d' and through the inner Walls of the sockets d2. The plates are also firmly connected by means of tie-bars ci, secured to the body portion of one plate and to the :liange ci of the next adjacent plate, bridging an opening in each plate made to accommodate the block Vor bolt to be sliced. In rear of each such opening is arranged a stay-log I. This is preferably made of the general shape of the block Z to be operated upon,v and it has at its outer end a lug t', tting the the block or bolt atA all points, regardless of any irregularity in the shape of the block. As shown in Fig. 2O and also in Figs. 16 and 17, the chucks arearranged alternately on opposite sides of the front of the stay-log. Each chucking device consists of a hook it, having a long shank h', adapted to slide in a transverse groove in the front face of the stay-log. Each shank Ais formed with an in- Wardly-projecting lug h2, which is adapted to move in the enlarged inner recess h3 of the stay-log. This lug is engaged by a screwrod H', by means of which the hook may be moved into and ont of engagement with the block.A Inasmuch as one edge of each staylog lies next to the flange d of a plate D, the screws are necessarily operated from the opposite edge of the stay-log; but as the hooks h must project from the stay-logs grooves h4 are formed in the iiange d to allow the hooks to move back and forth freely, while the edge of the stay-log and lthe edge of the block arel brought into close con tact with the flange d, which therefore constitutes a rm backing for the block and receives the strain when the bolt is presented to the slicing-knife.

By this construction any liability of the stayl log or block to tilt or move out of proper alinement is entirely avoided, and there is no danger of producing a feather-edge veneer. As before stated, all the screws HV are operated from the rear edge of the staylogs-t`. e., that farthest from the knife-and as the hooks are moved in opposite directions it is necessary to construct one set of hooks in a somewhat different manner from the other set. In Fig. 17 the screws for operating'the hooks next the-ange ci are shown,

and it will be seen that the threaded portion of the screw-rod is adaptedv to turn freely in the recess h3 and in an aperture h5 near 'the l inner end of the stay-log. The Unthreaded part of the screw-rod passes freely through an aperture 71,6 and the outer end of the rod is formed with a head hi, which 'rests'i'n a corresponding socket in the edge of the stay-log. The strain on the rod when the chuck is being clamped to the block is of course inward toward the flange d, and the head h7 prevents the rod from moving inward, thus causing the hook to move into engagement with the block. The opposite hook, however, moves in an opposite direction, so that it is necessary to form a head hi on the opposite end of the rod. This arrangementis clearly shown in Fig. 16. The screw-rods may be operated in any suitable pway, such as by an ordinary screw-driver.

While some little time is necessarily taken in chuclring each log, yet the loss in time is more than compensated by the secure con# nection and the accuracy which is attained,

land it. being remembered that when the blocks are thus chucked a very large number of veneers may be rapidly produced the ltime spent in chucking need hardly be considered.l Each lug t' of each stay-log is formed with a threaded opening through which extends a screw j, that is mounted to turn Without moving endwise inv a cross-piece j', at-V tached to the lugs d4, and each opposite lug t" of each stay-log is similarly engaged by a screw j?, similarly mounted in a cross-piecejg,

attached to the walls of a bracket J. A shaft K, arranged in-rear of each stay-log and extending from one end thereof to the other,

has bearings ,7a4 on two of the tie-bars Z9 and carries at its outer end a bevel-pinion k, meshing with a similar pinion Zo'on the rear 'end of therscrew j, and at or near its opposite or vinner end the shaft carries another pinion k2, meshing with. a pinion k3 on the rear end of the'screw jg. Each stay-log vis equipped in a similar way, and the inner ends of the shafts K are brought into proper relation to be operated by the mechanism next to be described. Y

I have shown thecarrier A as composed of twelve sections, and there are twelve staylo'gs and twelve shafts K. Each shaftcarries at or near its inner end a pinion Z, meshing with a pinion l' on one of the three crossshafts L L' L2. ranged each shaft L L L2 to operate four shafts K. The shaft L-,-for instance, as shown in Fig. t--carries four pinions i', engaging the pinions Zon four shafts K. Each shaft L L' L2 has Vsecured to it a fifth pinion Z2, which meshes with a' pinion m on one of the three shafts M, which are disposed par-V allel with the main shaft B, and each ofv For convenience I have ar-n IOO IIO

rearend of each shaftMis attached a toothed L wheel N, gearing with a pinion N,`faston a short stud-shaft n, which is adapted to, turn in bearings n', attached to the arm G2. On this shaft n is loosely mounted a ratchet-wheel O, carrying a clutch member o, adapted to engage aclutch member o', fast on the shaft n. An arm P, loose on the shaft n, carries a spring-pawl or dogp, adapted to eugage the ratchet-wheel, and the outer end of this arm is connected by a link p with a radially-moving rod p2, attached to an arm p3 of an eccentric ring or strap Q, surrounding an eccentric Q', fixed to a bracket g2, attached to the rear sill C. The rod p2 is guided radially by brackets p4, and a spring n2, interposed between the ratchet-wheel and the arm P, as indicated in Fig. 8, tends to close the clutch. Each shaft M has secured to it a toothed wheel R, that engages a pinion R on a screw-rod S, mounted to slide fore and aft in a bifurcated bracket T, attached to the arm G2. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 9, the rod S is formed with a long groove r, engaged by a screw or pin r', carried by the bracket T, while the pinion R has its bore screw-threaded to engage the rod S. Therefore as the pinion B.' is revolved the screwrod is moved endwise.v

U indicates a lever hinged at u to the arm G2 and engaging the front side of the ratchetwheel O. This lever has an arm' u', (see Fig. 6,) the outer end of which is in line with the screw-rod S. As the shaft M is rotated the rod S is moved gradually rearward and finally engages the lever U and causes the ratchetwheel O to be moved rearward and unclutched from the shaft n. This stops the operation of the gearing and causes the shaft M to come .to rest. By this organization when 'the ratchets are coupled to the shafts n the staylogs are advanced to feed the blocks forward; but after the blocks have been fed forward to the proper extent the feed is automatically arrested.

It will be understood, of course, that there are three ratchet-wheels O and three sets of mechanisms connected therewith of the same construction as above described. Each ratchet-wheel O is operated only once in each revolution of the blockcarrier-viz., when the eccentric-strap reaches the highest point of the eccentric Q-and thus four blocks are advanced or set simultaneously. Different sizes of toothed wheels and pinions N N may be employed. vThey are made removable for this purpose. By increasing the sizes of the toothed wheels N and correspondingly decreasing the sizes of the pinions N the setworks maybe made to operate more rapidly, and thus the thickness of the veneer may be lessened. By decreasing the sizes of the toothed wheels N and correspondingly increasing the sizes of the pinions N the movement of the stay-logs may be decreased or made to operate more slowly, and thus the veneer may be made thicker. The stay-log set-works are operated when the carrier is revolving in the direction indicated by the arlrows. ln order to reverse the movement of the stay-logs'z`. e., to bring them back to the I draw back the stay-logs, or I may reverse the movement of the stay-logs automatically. By reference to Figs. 5 and l0 it will be observed that eaeh shaft M carries a coiled spring M3, one end of which is attached to the bracket G4 and the opposite end of which,

is attached to the wheel R. As each shaft M is revolved to advance a stay-log the spring M3 is wound up and put under tension; but as soon as the rod S operates to stop the advance movement the spring will commence to unwind and will revolve the shaft M in the opposite direction, thus causing the stay-log to retreat. This reverse movement may becomev too rapid, and in order to control it I employ a brake M4 of well-known construction, consisting of a disk or wheel m4, attached to the shaft M and partially surrounded by a strap m", attached at one end to a bracket m6 and at the opposite end to an arm m7, projecting laterally from an operating-lever M5, pivoted to the shaft M. By this brake mechanism the speed of revolution of the set-works on the return movement of the stay-logs may be regulated or stopped at any point, if desired. Any other suitable brake mechanism may be employed for the same purpose.

The slicing mechanism Vis preferably constructed and arranged as shown particularly in Figs. l, 18, and 19. The knife or blade o is carried by aheavy metal block u', attached to end castings c2, and above the block c is another block W, carrying a presser-bar w. The frame-pieces are rigidly bolted to the blocks o and W and are arranged in the position relatively to the carrier shown in Fig. l. The inner end of the frame is hinged at w to the front sill C, and the opposite end of the cutter-frame is supported on adjustingscrews x, working vertically in sockets in the sill O. The outer frame-piece is formed with a vertical ange 102, fitting a vertical guide in a casting W', attached to the front sill C in the manner indicated in Figs. l and 18. By the organization shown the cutter-frame may beA tilted to vary the inclination of the edge of the knife relatively to the approaching block which it shears, while the liange 102 and its guide hold the knife firm and steady. While the blocks are held in such manner relatively to the knife as to cause a shear cut to be made, the blocks are not themselves adjustable in such manner as to vary the shear cut; but this is accomplished by means of the set-screws m and the hinge w in the manner above described. The blade o is made adjustable by means of screws o3, operating upon its inner edge, while it is guided by means of screws v4, extending through slots c5 in the knife. The presser-bar w is adjusted IIO ' of the wood to split or tear. Y A free passage from the block and may be adjusted to cut slices of any desired thickness, while the presser-bar bears on the stock just above the edge of the knife and prevents any tendency is formed between the blocks 'v and W, through which the veneer passes as it is cut from the block, and such veneer may be received in any suitable receptacle or by the attendants. j very large I prefer to have attendants stationed at each end of the knife to receive the veneer and convey it away.

In order to protect the workmen and to prevent the lblocks of wood from being thrown out forwardly in case they become detached from the stay-logs, I provide a shield or fender Y, constructed and arranged as ill ustrated in Figs. l and 2. It consists merely of a semicircular open-work casting attached to the front sill C and covering the semicircular front portion of the block-carrier above the pit. It is formed with a rectangular opening y to accommodate the cutteraud with a similar opening on the opposite side at y to permit the blocks to be inserted into the carrier. The flanges d act as shelves to receive the blocks as they are inserted through the opening 'y' and support them while'they are being chucked to the stay-logs. If desired, a shelf y2 may be formed on or secured to the shield Y below and in front of the opening y', so that when feeding the block-carrier the blocks may be first rested on the shelf y2 and then slid onto the shelves cl. As before stated, the shield prevents the blocks from being thrown ont forward if they should become detached. The tie-bars di in addition to connecting the sector-plates D together will also prevent the stay-logs and blocks from being thrown out rearwardly in case they become detached.

'The operation of the machine, the construction of which has now been fully described, is as follows: Before the carrier is supplied with the blocks or bolts Z the stay-logs are moved to their rearmost position. This may .be done by means of the crank Mi applied to the rear ends of the shafts M. Then the carrier is slowly turned in the direction of the arrow in Fig. l until each stay-log in succession has been brought opposite the opening'y, stopping each time to enable the attendants to feed a block through the opening and chuck it to the stay-log. As the staylogs move upwardly and around the axis of the carrier the set-works are operated in the manner before described to advance the blocks four at atime,so as to present them properly to the slicing-knife. As the four blocks 4thus set engage the knife slices or sheets of veneer are severed from them. In like manner the other two sets of stay-logs are s upplied with blocks, which are advanced or set Preferably when the veneer is` in the same way. Y After this the carrier may vbe moved continuously until the blocks have been cut down to the spalt, at which time the scre w-rods S. engage the levers U, causing the clutches to be nncoupled, and thus arrest- 4 ing the feed of the stay-logs. As soon as this occurs the revolution of the carrier may be stopped, and the stay-logs are'runback by means of the automatic mechanism before referred to or by the crank M2, and the chucks are released from the spalt. Thereafter new blocks or bolts may be mounted in the carrier in the manner before described.

There are some characteristics of myrmachine to which I wish again to call special attention. The knife, it will [be observed, is held in a heavy solid frame and may be adjusted to give its edge any desired inclination orrpitch suitable for operating upon different grains in' various kinds of timber. The presser-bar is also solidly supported and may be adjusted correspondingly with the adjustments of the knife to any desired extent. The block-carrier is preferably made of large diameter to carry a large number of blocks,.also

of large dimensions. The momentu mis therelfore very great, and the blocks arecarried ,fed to the machine, and this same shelf constitutes a support forY the block to receive the strain when the block encounters the knife,

and inasmuch as the stay-log is arranged closefr to this Iiange and at right angles thereto the Lblock is held in proper alinement, avoiding any possibility of its tilting when encountering the knife. A

- While the blocks are rotated in the same direction in a straight vertical plane a shear cnt isvgiven to the blocks which is such that IIO ward from the axis of the carrier, whereby a clean lsmooth cut is effected and ,shocks or jars incident to other constructions in which the knife engages the full length ofthe block at the start are avoided. p

Another important feature of my invention is that the blocks never move backward across the knife, and therefore there is no tendency for the knife to become worn and its edge dulled, as is found to be thecase in reciprocating machines where the knifemoves back and forth acrossV the block. The fenderA at the front of the -machine and the tie-bars in rear of the stay-logs prevent accidents, which might otherwise occur if the blocks became detached from the stay-logs or the stay-logs became detached from the carrier. "The means of the carrier are also important in connec* tion With the adjustable slicing-knife, as lby kthe automatic means for stopping the set- Works not only contain many features of novelty, but they operate most efficiently, causing the stay-logs to be advanced With perfect accuracy, While being entirely automatic. The chucks employed for attaching the blocks or bolts to the stay-logs are also very efficient and, so far as I am aware, are novel. So far as I am aware it is also new to moisten and heat the blocks or bolts While they are mounted in the carrier and are undergoing the slicing operation. This I consider a most important feature of my invention.

I claim as my inventionl. In a veneer-cutting machine, the combination with a stationary'slicing-knife, of a rotary block-carrier, a series of stay-logs arranged radially on the carrier, chucks carried by the stay-logs for rigidly securing the blocks thereto, and means for automatically moving the stay-logs and blocks transversely to the plane in which the carrier moves.

2. In a veneer-cutting machine, the combination with a stationary slicing-knife, the edge of Which is radial, or substantially so to the axis of the block-carrier, of a rotary block-carrier, a series of stay-logs 'carried thereby, which hold the advancingr side of each block to one side of a true radial line .whereby a slowly-moving part of the blockA is first engaged by the knife and the knife is caused to penetrate the block with increasing speed in an outward direction from the axis of the carrier, and means for rigidly securing the blocks to the said logs.

3. In a Veneer-cutting machine the coinbination ofa stationary slicing-knife,tl1e edge of which is radial or substantially so to the axis of the block-carrier, means for adjusting the knife to incline its edge relatively to a true radial line from the axis of the carrier, a rotary block-carrier, a series of stay-logs carried thereby Which hold the advancing side of each block to one side of a true radial line whereby a slowly-moving part of the block is first engaged by the knife and the knife is caused to penetrate the block with increasing speed in an outward direction from the axis of the carrier, and means for rigidly securing the blocks to the stay-logs.

4:. In a veneer-cutting machine a rotary carrier having a series of radial flanges or shelves, d, and block-openings adjacent to said flanges in combination with radially-arranged stay-logs adjustable relatively to said flanges and in close proximity thereto, Wherebythe blocks to be cut are backed and braced to receive the strain While being cut, and means for rigidly securing the blocks to the stay-logs.

5. In a veneer-cutting machine, a rotary carrier comprising a hub formed With a front flange and radial Webs, a series of sectorshaped plates each having radial and peripheral flanges, devices for attaching the inner ends of the plates to the hub, and means for connectingpthe peripheral anges of the several plates together.

6.` In a veneer-cutting machine, a rotary carrier comprising a hub formed with a front flange and a series of radial Webs, a series of sector-shaped plates having radial and peripheral flanges, the latter formed with interlocking portions, devicesfor attaching the plates to the hub, and means for connecting the peripheral flanges of the plates at their interlocking portions.

7. In a veneer-cutting machine, a rotary carrier comprising a hub having afront (iange and a series of radial Webs, a series of sectorshaped plates secured to the hub and connected together at their outer ends, a rear hub-piece,anddiagonalbraces connecting the outer ends of the sector-shaped plates with the rear hub-piece.

8. In a veneer-cutting machine, a rotary carrier comprising a hub,sectorshaped plates having radial and peripheral flanges and openings to accommodate the blocks and staylogs, means for attaching the inner ends of the plates to the hub, devices for connecting the peripheral iianges together, and tie-bars bridging said openings in the plates and connecting the body portions of one plate with the radial ange of the next adjacent plate.

9. In a veneer-cutting machine, the combination of a rotary block-carrier, radiallyarranged stay-logs on the carrier to which the blocks aresecured, a shaft on which the carrier is mounted, bearings for the shaft, a

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stationary*slicing-knife arranged radially/ With reference to the axis of the block-carrier, and devices for moving the shaft of the carrier endwise in its bearings to adjust the position of the carrier relatively to the knife.

10. In a veneer-cutting machine the combination of a pit, sills at the top thereof, bearings erected on said sills, a shaft, devices for adjusting the shaft end Wise in its bearings, a hub secured to the shaft, sector-plates secured to the hub,V means for connecting the sector-plates at their outer ends, and Ineans for bracing the plates.

ll. In a veneer-cutting machine a rotary carrier havinga flanged periphery and formed with a series of radial anges joining said peripheral flange, and with aseries of block- IIO openings close to said radial flanges in comt reason ings, means for connecting the plates to the hu b, devices for attaching the plates together at their outer ends, a series of stay-logs arranged close to the radial flan ges of the plates, guides in the peripheral flanges of the platesfor the outer ends of the stay-logs, guidebrackets attached to the plates for the inner ends of the stay-logs, tie-bars connecting adjacent plates in rear of the stay-logs, and automatic set-works for the stay-logs, substantially as described.

13. In a veneer-cutting machine, the coinbination with a rotary block-carrier having a series of radial rearwardly-projectin g flanges formed with rearwardly-extending grooves, of a series of stay-logs adapted to move back and forth in close proximity to the anges, and chucks carried by the stay-logs which move in said grooves, substantially as described.

14. In a veneer-cutting machine, the combination with a rotary carrier formed with a series of block-openings, stay-logs in rear of these openings, screw-rods engaging the staylogs for moving them back and forth,.shafts parallel with the stay-logs, and geared with said screw-rods, a cross-shaft geared to a plurality of said first-mentioned shafts, ratchet mechanism operatively connected with said crossshaft, and means for operating the ratchet mechanism.

l5. In a veneer-cutting machine, the combination with a rotary carrier formed with block-openings, of stay-logs in rear of said openings, screw-rods engaging the stay-logs,

shafts parallel with the stay-logs geared to.

the screw-rods, a cross-shaft geared to a plurality of said first-mentioned shafts, a rearwardly-extending shaft geared with said crossshaft, ratchet mechanism geared to said rearwardly-extending shaft, and devices for operating .the ratchet mechanism.

I6. In a veneer-cutting machine, the cornbination of an eccentric, an eccentric-strap engaged thereby, a pawl operatively connected with the strap, a ratchet-wheel engaged by the pawl, a shaft on which said ratchet-wheel is mounted, means for clutching the ratchetwheel to the shaft,a rotary block-carrier, staylogs carried thereby, a shaft extending rearwardly from the block-carrier and geared to the shaft carrying the ratchet-wheel, and connections between said rearwardly-extending shaft and the stay-logs whereby they are advanced and retracted, substantially as described.

17. In a veneer-cutting machine, the combinaticn of a rotary block-carrier, stay-logs carried thereby, means for automatically advancing the stay-logs, and devices for automatically arresting the advance of the staylogs after the blocks have been cut to the desired extent.

scribed my name.

18. In a veneer-cutting machine, the combination of a rotary block-carrier, stay-logs carried thereby, automatic set-works for the stay-logs, and devices for automatically arresting the advance of the stay-logs when the blocks have been cnt to the desired extent.

19. In a veneer-cutting machine, the combination of a rotary block-carrier, stay-logs carried thereby, set-works foradvancing the stay-logs,and means for automatically returning the stay-logs after they have been advanced to their full extent.

20. In a veneer-cutting machine, the combination of a rotary block-carrier, stay-logs carried thereby, set-Works for automatically advancing the stay-logs, devices for automatically'arresting the advance of the stay-logs when the blocks have been cut to the desired extent, and means for automatically returning the stay-logs to their initial position.

2l. Ina veneer-cutting machine, the cornbination of a rotary block-carrier, stay-logs carried thereby, means for automatically advancing the stay-logs, devices for automatically arresting the advance thereof when the blocks have been cut to the desired extent, means for automatically returning the staylogs to their initial position, and means for controlling the backward movement of the stay-logs.

22. In a veneer-cutting machine, the combination of a rotary carrier, stay-logs carried thereby, screw-rods engaging the stay-logs,

ratchet mechanism, means for operating it, connections between said ratchet mechanism and the screw-rods which engage the stay-logs, a clutch for operatively connecting the ratchet mechanism with the mechanism for advancing the stay-logs, a lever for opening the clutch, and means operated by the stay-logadvancing mechanism for uncoupling the clutch after the blocks have been cut to the desired extent.

23. The combination of` a rotary block-carrier, stay-logs carried thereby, screw-rods eugaging the stay-logs, a shaft extending rear- Wardly from the carrier, gearing connecting said shaft with the screw-rods, ratchet mechanism operating said rearwardly-extending shaft, a clutch for connecting the ratchet mechanism operatively with said rearwardlyextending shaft,aleverfor opening the clutch, a screw-rod operated to engage the lever, and connections between this screw-rod and the rearwardly-extending shaft for moving the rod endwise'to engage at the proper time the lever which opens the clutch.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- CISOO R. TRAXLER.

Witnesses:

. EUGENE E. GRAY,

W. I. BRooKEs.

IIO 

